Hello
I'm hoping someone might have some insight on this issue I'm having.

It's a 2019 Zforce 500, 579 miles, 40.9 hours.

About a month ago, we went trail riding in Upper Michigan, and covered everything in red clay dust.

When the engine is cold, it doesn't want to start. It will sound like it wants too, but just won't go.
If I hold the gas pedal down a bit while cranking, it will start up.
Letting go of the pedal makes it die again.

But, if I hold the pedal while starting, and keep holding it for a minute or so, it stays running, and keeps running.

Once warmed up a bit, it can be shut off and restarted like normal. Drives like normal, too.

I changed the air filter with a brand new OEM one, because the old one was caked in dust.
I have premium, ethanol free gas in it, and just changed the spark plug yesterday, trying to troubleshoot this issue.

I made 2 videos, showing the issue.
Any suggestions?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

OE air filters are known to let much material by destroying the engine....but it usually takes at least 500 miles. I suspect yours is now in need of a top end. Check the valves....they may be tight because as the grit gets crushed in the valve seats it destroys the surfaces making the valve sink farther in the seat. It's probably too late now but you need to get the Unifilter and a quality foam filter oil.

I don't know that one ride in dusty conditions would hurt the engine, but if all 500 miles were in those conditions with the paper filter, than I would be concerned.

I would do two things.

First, I would use an OBD2  reader to check the values coming off of all the sensors to make sure they are reasonable. Might be as simple as a dirty or marginal t-map sensor.

Second, I would do a compression and leak-down test to check the quality of the combustion chamber.

What comes next depends on the results of those tests.

Good luck.

I attached a picture of what the air filter looks like.
The filter has actually been changed twice since new.
The previous owners changed it at around 150 miles.
And I changed it around 440 miles.  The trail riding happened about 100 miles prior.

So, these filters are basically junk from the factory?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Yes..and they have been sense 2014.

Yes..and they have been sense 2014.

Well, that tidbit of info would have been great to know beforehand!

If the filters are garbage from the factory, is this something that I can run up the CFMoto flagpole, to see if it's warranty covered?
I mean, this damn thing is a little over a year old!

To know if your filter is working OK, remove the filter and check the inner intake pipe for dirt and dust residue.
I'm going to guess that if the OE filter was caked up as you described, some dust and talc probably got through. The thicker the residue, the greater potential for engine damage (but not a foregone conclusion).

The OEM filters were "improved" in 2018 (From white to orange color), but still aren't as effective as a good foam-n-oil filter. It's very common around here for dealers to install a foam filter before delivery.

Upgrading the filter is solid advice.

To know if your filter is working OK, remove the filter and check the inner intake pipe for dirt and dust residue.
I'm going to guess that if the OE filter was caked up as you described, some dust and talc probably got through. The thicker the residue, the greater potential for engine damage (but not a foregone conclusion).

The OEM filters were "improved" in 2018 (From white to orange color), but still aren't as effective as a good foam-n-oil filter. It's very common around here for dealers to install a foam filter before delivery.

Upgrading the filter is solid advice.

Off topic just a bit, but have you ever seen, or heard of, a filter being installed on the top of the air intake tube, right between the seats?
Almost like a pre-filter?

There is a sort of sock installed over the intake by the factory. Some people have plumbed the intake to the bed wall, and some have installed material in the void to force the air to come from the cabin instead of from underneath within the void, all in an attempt to reduce the amount of dirt and dust getting access to the intake.

I haven't read of anyone putting a filter inside that area, but many have routed pipe so they could add a filter outside of it.

If that filter pictured above is the "actual condition" of the found filter condition, then i dont think its from "that" filter, now maybe the orig owner replaced it to the one pictured above, but if the one pictured is the actual, then I'm not seeing the filter as the issue...Yes, Yes its far better to upgrade i get it, but according to whats posted, not so much getting past that filter, it looks brand new with zero dust residual or anything even on the foam portion.
Id check the clearance as stated above.

If that filter pictured above is the "actual condition" of the found filter condition, then i dont think its from "that" filter, now maybe the orig owner replaced it to the one pictured above, but if the one pictured is the actual, then I'm not seeing the filter as the issue...Yes, Yes its far better to upgrade i get it, but according to whats posted, not so much getting past that filter, it looks brand new with zero dust residual or anything even on the foam portion.
Id check the clearance as stated above.

The picture is not of the filter that I pulled out that was caked with dust.  When I bought a replacement filter a few weeks back, I bought 2. That was a picture of the other one I bought.

I can't find the one I took out. I'm thinking I threw it away.

Is there a guided in the forums in how I'm supposed to make that adjustment?
Or is this something I should have the service manual for?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Is there a guided in the forums in how I'm supposed to make that adjustment?
Or is this something I should have the service manual for?

What adjustment? The valves? Yes, see service manual.

If it starts and runs with the throttle open a little than check the IACV (idle air control valve). The iacv stattles the main throttle valve and allows air in to start without using throttle.

I'm having trouble getting the bolts off of the crankshaft cover.
I try to turn them, but they don't let loose.
And it doesn't appear there is a bolt or anything on the back side.
How do I get these off? They just do nothing but spin.